PM commended on climate change leadership

PAPUA NEW GUINEA

Office of the Member for Kairuku-Hiri

P O Parliament House, WAIGANI

National Capital District

Telephone: (675) 327 7432 /327 7668

Facsimile: (675) 327 7632

Mobile: (675) 695 7415

M E D I A R E L E A S E

June 5, 2009

Kairuku-Hiri MP Paru Aihi has commended Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare for his leadership on climate change campaign in the world-wide efforts to reduce carbon emission together with the potentially catastrophic effects of global warming and green house effects.

In praising Sir Michael, Mr Aihi urged Papua New Guinean citizens to remind themselves of the great importance the environment plays to provide a balance and sustainable life on Planet Earth. He said this when reminding the people to observe the World Environment Day (June 5) and consider the importance on look after the forest, rivers, reefs and the environment they live in.

In doing so, Mr Aihi has called on Sir Michael to direct an investigation into the existence and whole operations of the Office of Climate Change and Environment Sustainability (OCCES) for possible breaches of the PNG Constitution, Public Finance (Management) Act, Tender Procedures and others laws.

He said there was an urgent need for a high-level inquiry into the underlying interest behind separating office of climate change from the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) and the whole affairs of OCCES. Mr Aihi stressed that while he fully supported carbon trading and saving Papua New Guinea's forest areas, the work of OCCES needed to be investigated and to ensure everything is being done in accordance with the law.

He was particularly critical of OCCES collaborating with two companies, a British Virgin Island company, Earth Sky and Climate Assist PNG to "make and sell carbon credits." Mr Aihi noted with grave concern of OCCES Executive Director Dr Theo Yasause writing to Prime Minister Sir Michael Somare on June 12 2008 confirming the engagement of the two entities.

"This group has already made representation to the National Forrest Authority, the Department of Trade and Industry, National Planning and various land groups in Central, Madang, Morobe,, Milne Bay, New Ireland, Eastern Highlands, Western Highlands and Southern Highlands," Dr Yasause stated in his letter to Sir Michael.

"The forest areas indicated in the above provinces account of 33 million metric tones of carbon credit. This could bring to the country close to $500 million US dollars over the next three years. From the discussion I have held with the above group there will be remitting close to US$50 million per month to the Office of Climate Change to cover for projects in the country for the preservation of loggable forest.

The above group is prepared to put in 10 million Australian Dollars to assist the establishment of the Office of Climate Change in PNG. "In order to facilitate the above arrangement, we need to issue them a certificate to go out and sell the credits. I have attached the necessary certificates in duplicate for your signature which has been counter signed by myself and the Director of the above entity," the letter further stated.

Mr Aihi said in view of the above and other correspondences between Dr Yasause and Sir Michael as well as strong rumors that a lot of money have been being squandered by OCCES together with claims of certain individuals using the Office of the Prime Minister, an investigation should be carried out without any delay.

He said the issues to be investigated include the related National Executive Council decisions to set up the office, Personnel Management Department's approval for its organisational structure and staff emoluments as well as constitutional and corporate powers to raise and spend money.

Mr Aihi the probe should also cover the involvement of PNG's so-called Climate Change Ambassador Kevin Conrad and his dealings on behalf and for the country.

"OCCES is a taxpayer funded office and everything that happens in that organisation are subject to public scrutiny for purposes of good governance, transparency and accountability," he stressed.

Mr Aihi said climate changes issues are of global concern and the PNG office must be transparent and accountable in all its dealings for the good of PNG and the world-wide efforts to reduce carbon emission into the atmosphere and effects of global warming.

Authorised for release,

HON PARU AIHI, MP

Member for Kairuku-Hiri

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